Etiquette, Attitudes & Advice

With 4,000 years of history, go has had more chance than any other
game to develop customs and practices conducive to good play. The
oriental and in particular the Japanese overlay given to the game is
very significant. In some ways this distinctive cultural influence
appears as ritual observances which stem from the profound philosophical
approach to such disciplines as games, sports and martial arts found in
the East.

Go is a game for two players. Though in competition, each needs the
other in order to play. This makes them partners in the exercise. If one
accepts the notion that go is a beneficial pastime, a potential voyage
of self-discovery and enlightenment, then the opponent or partner who
makes this possible deserves special treatment and respect. You show
this in a variety of ways.

Firstly there is etiquette, the code of behaviour at the go board.
This is where ritual plays the greatest part. The Japanese bow to each
other, enquire politely if the other would instruct them and ask if the
other would please commence play - all done using phrases reserved for
these special occasions when only the highest form of politeness and
greatest deference is shown. Of course we don't need to go to such
lengths but at least a friendly, courteous approach to an opponent is
right. During play sit quietly and do nothing to upset him. If you must
leave the table apologise politely before doing so. Remember that the
other player expects as much from you as he does from himself.

At the beginning of a game certain conventions apply. For example,
in an even game it is customary to play the first move in the upper
right corner of the board. Should, this be a komoku, then the
right hand one is expected. In placing a handicap, which incidentally
Black does for himself, the recommended order of moves is as shown in
the diagram. Note that in the only asymmetric position of three stones,
Black leaves White's lower right corner open for him to play in. With
equally matched players, first move is chosen by nigiri. One player
takes a handful of white stones from a bowl. The other will then guess
odd or even and the stones are counted out in pairs. The player on the
correct end of this little guessing game then automatically plays black.

There is more ritual at the end of the game. This comes when both
players agree that there are no more points to be gained or lost for
either side. Then the dame (neutral points) are filled, preferably
alternately although in the Japanese method of counting this is not
essential. What is important to remember is that the game has ended
before the dame are filled. So you do not capture stones left in atari
when the dame are taken. Instead you point this out to your opponent and
allow him to connect. The connection is a dame. Western tournament rules
which were devised to avoid ambiguity at the end of the game insist that
the game ends after the dame are all filled. On this technicality dame
rip-offs are possible but are totally contrary to the basic nature of
go. Such play undermines the spirit in which the game should be played
and speaks poorly of players who perpetrate it.

Having filled the dame, each player then takes up their own captured
stones which added to the prisoners in the lid they then place in their
opponent's area preparatory to counting. Each player arranges and counts
his opponent's territory announcing their score. Only then are the
stones cleared away with each player putting away his own stones. This
ensures there are no accidents as hands clash in mid-air en route to the
same bowl. Of course you can help each other sort out the stones still
on the board and push the opponent's stones towards him. Afterwards it
is right and proper that you thank each other for the game.

Apart from good manners, there is another way
in which you can show proper respect for the other player and that is by
playing the best game possible. Playing rubbish is an insult to the
opponent. Every player has his limitations but there are ways in which
you can enhance your play without further study. Which takes us back to
sitting quietly at the go board. Your mind performs well with the
minimum of distraction and this includes the self-induced as well as any
from your opponent or the surrounding area. It is best to promote a calm
frame of mind, allowing the mind to think about the game with great
clarity and in a detached way. Remember that you play into an existing
position on the board there for all to see. What you do is up to you and
you alone. All that matters is the position at that point and how you
intend to play. In this respect you opponent may as well not exist. What
I mean is of course that you should try not to play the person sitting
opposite. Play the position not the opponent.

The go board is large in comparison to other similar board games and
an overall board vision is essential. You can't get this by hunching
over part of the board. Sit up straight in a relaxed way. Your eyes
should be about one yard from the tengen point in the middle of the
board. You need to scan the entire board without effort. Poor posture
not only interferes with your view it also may constrict your bloodflow
and have same effect on your ability to think. Tension and stress in
your body will have the same effect as discomfort in disturbing the
smooth flow of ideas. It is similarly important to play your move after
due consideration. Decide where you wish to play before picking up your
stone. Then play it with confidence.

Don't rattle stones in the bowl as that is annoying. Don't play a
move before you are certain where it should go. That way you aren't
tempted to take the move back - a cardinal sin. Don't hover. By this I
mean don't hold a stone in your hand and hover with it over the board
while still making up your mind. Notice how much of the board surface is
obscured by your own hand. You must have a clear view of the board at
all times.

Get used to following these recommendations during play and improve
both the quality of your game and the enjoyment and pleasure that go
guarantees.

This article is from the
British Go Journal
Issue 54
which is one of a series of back issues now available on the web.